Council call for applications for Arts Act Grant Awards

THE Kerry County Council Arts Grants application process is now open for projects and activities taking place in 2019.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 1pm Thursday 13th December 2018. Under the Arts Act 2003, funding is allocated to individuals or groups where activities, projects and undertakings stimulate public interest in the arts, promote knowledge and appreciation of the arts and improve the standards of practice in the arts.

‘Funding to support the arts is crucial,’ stated Norma Foley, Cathaoirleach, Kerry County Council, ‘my colleagues at Council

fully recognise that funding the arts is an investment in our communities, our culture, and our ability to communicate creatively at many levels.’

The Arts Service at Kerry County Council oversees the application and selection process and prioritises spend on arts activities that reflect the following strategic policy areas:

1) Youth Arts and Arts in Education initiatives

2) Supports to Artists in terms of career and arts practice development, promoting Kerry as a place to both create and show work.

3) Strategic Partnerships that will better develop the arts locally.

In accordance with the core values of Kerry County Council’s Arts Strategy 2016 – 2021, priority will be given to festivals, events and activities that seek funding for the paid involvement participation/ mentorship/direction of professional artists.

Individual Artist Bursary Awards support the artistic work development of artists based in Kerry. There are five different Bursary categories: 1. Artists’ Retreat 2. Purchase of Materials and Equipment

3. Creative Work Development

4. Further Arts Education 5. Eamon Kelly Bursary (Killarney Municipal District only).

These bursaries offer support for the artist across a wide range of areas and applications are open to artists with significant track records in their chosen discipline.

There is also a number of Artist in Schools Awards which support schools who wish to give children and young people the opportunity to work with professional artists on a specific project that enhances the curriculum without replacing the work of the curriculum.

Kate Kennelly, Arts Officer at Kerry County Council encourages anyone seeking support for arts activities in 2019 to send in their applications on time as late applications cannot be accepted.

Application forms for the awards are available online at www.kerrycoco.ie/home3/ arts/arts-forms/ and additional information and support throughout the application process is available by contacting the Arts Office on 066 7183541 or email arts@kerrycoco.ie

Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan. The Work of Professional Artists were exhibited at Department of Culture, Heritage, & the Gaeltacht, Government Buildings, Killarney at Culture night in Killarney. At the opening of the exhibition were, Artists Martine Moriarty, left, Rebecca Carroll, Kerry County Council Arts Officer Kate Kennelly and Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council, Cllr Norma Foley.